A meaningful life
Mother and child
Lichen growing on a rock
Since returning from America at the time of the 2024 presidential election I have been reviewing the meta crisis in which civilisation now finds itself.
The polarisation of communities, extreme inequality, war, destruction of climate, ecological, economic and social systems is being pursued around the world at an unprecedented pace. We have overshot 6 of 9 planetary boundaries and are at risk of systemic collapse.
People seem stunned into silence rather than dialog and action. I see this as a crisis of meaning.
I viewed a remarkable conversation between Lex Fridman and Daniel Schmachtenberger on how to save civilisation in which Daniel described what constitutes a meaningful life.
I recommend the whole podcast, but this clip contains its essence:
The being mode
The doing mode
The becoming mode
Being is taking in the beauty of life every moment: what is.
Doing is adding to the beauty of life in the moment.
Becoming is getting better at both and increasing possibility.
All three are necessary to a meaningful life.
- Daniel Schmachtenberger.
I believe leading meaningful lives is essential for us all to avoid civilisational collapse.